49er quarterback Alex Smith, 11, stays loose and smiles as he speaks with reporters during the daily press conference for the San Francisco 49ers on Wednesday January 30, 2013 in New Orleans, La., as the two teams the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers prepare for this Sunday's NFL Superbowl game.

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

49er quarterback Alex Smith, 11, stays loose and smiles as he...

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49er quarterback Alex Smith, 11 talks with reporters as Media Day gets underway at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome the site of this year's Superbowl between the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens in New Orleans, La. on Tues. Jan. 29, 2013.

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

49er quarterback Alex Smith, 11 talks with reporters as Media Day...

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Dec. 30, 2012: Team Alex Smith shows up in the first quarter of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Dec. 30, 2012: Team Alex Smith shows up in the first quarter of the...

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Quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick (7) and Alex Smith (11) of the San Francisco 49ers take warm ups before their game against the Miami Dolphins at Candlestick Park on December 9, 2012 in San Francisco, California.

Photo: Ezra Shaw, Getty Images

Quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick (7) and Alex Smith (11) of the San...

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Quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) talks with coach Jim Harbaugh as Quarterback Alex Smith (11) listens in form the sidelines during the San Francisco 49ers game against the Chicago Bears at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday November 19, 2012.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) talks with coach Jim Harbaugh as...

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) is tackled by St. Louis Rams linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar (58) on a four-yard gain during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, in San Francisco. Smith had a concussion from the play.

Photo: Paul Kitagaki Jr., Associated Press

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) is tackled by St....

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Quarterback Alex Smith leaves the field after a game against the visiting Detroit Lions at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif. on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012. The Niners defeated the Lions 27-19.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) thows a pass away from New York Jets' Yeremiah Bell (37) as teammate Kendall Hunter (32) blocks during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. the 49ers won the game 34-0.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) thows a pass away...

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith reacts after an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. the 49ers won the game 34-0.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith reacts after an NFL...

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) calls a play in the huddle during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Minneapolis.

Photo: Genevieve Ross, Associated Press

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) calls a play in the...

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San Francisco 49ers' Alex Smith drops back to pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Green Bay, Wis. The 49ers won 30-22.

Photo: Tom Lynn, Associated Press

San Francisco 49ers' Alex Smith drops back to pass during the...

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49ers coach Jim Harbaugh grabbed Alex Smith's jersey as he sent him back out in the fourth quarter. The San Francisco 49ers beat the Seattle Seahawks 13-6 in San Francisco, Calif at Candlestick Park,

Quarterback Alex Smith (11) on the side lines talks with coach Jim Harbaugh during the second quarter of the San Francisco 49ers game against the St. Louis Rams at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday November 11, 2012.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

Quarterback Alex Smith (11) on the side lines talks with coach Jim...

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith drinks during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz.

Photo: Ross D. Franklin, Associated Press

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith drinks during the first...

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) warms up before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in San Francisco, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012.

Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) warms up before an...

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) is sacked by New York Giants defensive tackle Linval Joseph during the third quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) is sacked by New...

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) is sacked by New York Giants defensive tackle Linval Joseph, hidden, as outside linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (94) converges during the third quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012.

Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) is sacked by New...

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San Francisco quarter back Alex Smith throws downfield during the first half of the San Francisco 49ers home opener against the Detroit Lions at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday September 16, 2012.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

San Francisco quarter back Alex Smith throws downfield during the...

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San Francisco 49ers' Alex Smith throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Green Bay, Wis.

Quarterbacks Alex Smith (11) and Colin Kaepernick (7) of the San Francisco 49ers prepare to take the field for the start of the NFC Divisional playoff game against the New Orleans Saints at Candlestick Park on January 14, 2012 in San Francisco, California.

Photo: Ezra Shaw, Getty Images

Quarterbacks Alex Smith (11) and Colin Kaepernick (7) of the San...

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Vernon Davis (85) of the San Francisco 49ers reacts with Alex Smith #11 after his touchdown in the fourth quarter of the NFC Divisional playoff game against the New Orleans Saints at Candlestick Park on January 14, 2012 in San Francisco, California.

Photo: Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images

Vernon Davis (85) of the San Francisco 49ers reacts with Alex Smith...

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49ers Alex Smith runs into the endzone, on his fourth quarter touchdown, as the San Francisco 49ers go on to beat the New Orleans Saints 36-32, in the NFC divisional playoffs, on Saturday Jan. 14, 2012, in San Francisco.

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

49ers Alex Smith runs into the endzone, on his fourth quarter...

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Drew Brees (9) of the New Orleans Saints talks to Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers after their NFC Divisional playoff game at Candlestick Park on January 14, 2012 in San Francisco, California.

Alex Smith of the San Francisco 49ers runs in for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints during the NFC Divisional playoff game at Candlestick Park on January 14, 2012 in San Francisco, California.

Photo: Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images

Alex Smith of the San Francisco 49ers runs in for a touchdown in...

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith throws the ball for a first down against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday Oct. 9, 2011, at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif. The 49ers defeated the Buccaneers 48 to 3.

Photo: Lacy Atkins, The Chronicle

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith throws the ball for a...

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49ers quarterback Alex Smith runs for a 1st down during San Francisco 49ers vs. the Pittsburg Steelers at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, December 19, 2011.

Photo: John Storey, Special To The Chronicle

49ers quarterback Alex Smith runs for a 1st down during San...

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) signals at the line of scrimmage against the St. Louis Rams during the second quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011.

Alex Smith walked off the field, perhaps for the last time, at Candlestick Park. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 38-7. San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals in last game of the regular season at Candlestick Park Sunday January 2, 2011.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

Alex Smith walked off the field, perhaps for the last time, at...

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Alex Smith is winning over the 49er fans. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Cleveland Browns 20-10 at Candlestick Park Sunday October 30, 2011.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

Alex Smith is winning over the 49er fans. The San Francisco 49ers...

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith and head coach Mike Singletary have a discussion on the sidelines, during the Philadelphia Eagles game, after Smith's fumble led to an Eagle score.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith and head coach Mike...

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Quarterbacks David Carr (5), Alex Smith (11) and Troy Smith (1) of the San Francisco 49ers walk out onto the field before the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on November 29, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona.

Photo: Christian Petersen, Getty Images

Quarterbacks David Carr (5), Alex Smith (11) and Troy Smith (1)...

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San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Singletary and quarterback Alex Smith on the sidelines in the game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday Dec. 27, 2009, in San Francisco. I'm confident in Alex. Our coaching staff is confident in Alex,'' said 49ers head coach Mike Singletary (left) of quarterback Alex Smith.

Photo: Lacy Atkins, The Chronicle

San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Singletary and quarterback Alex...

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) throws downfield in the 4th quarter as the San Francisco 49ers take on the Chicago Bears on Thursday November 12, 2009 in San Francisco, Calif.

Quarterback Alex Smith of the San Francisco 49ers delivers a pass during a preseason game against the San Diego Chargers on August 29, 2008 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California.

Photo: Getty Images

Quarterback Alex Smith of the San Francisco 49ers delivers a pass...

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Quarterback Alex Smith (11), with a sore right shoulder, confers with head coach Mike Nolan during the fourth quarter in Oct. 2007. Mike Nolan let Smith play the entire game with a sore right shoulder. Smith was sacked twice and ran four times.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith passes against the Chicago Bears during the first half of an NFL exhibition football game Friday, Aug. 11, 2006, in San Francisco.

Photo: BENJAMIN SKLAR

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith passes against the...

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith, right, and new offensive coordinator Norv Turner, left, smile during an interview during a mini camp at 49ers headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif., Friday, May 5, 2006. Turner was head coach of the Oakland Raiders last season.

Photo: Paul Sakuma, ASSOCIATED PRESS

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith, right, and new...

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Alex Smith meets the press following practice in May 2005 as the San Francisco 49ers hold their first mandatory mini-camp of the season.

Photo: Michael Macor

Alex Smith meets the press following practice in May 2005 as the...

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith passes the ball against the Seattle Seahawks in the first quarter at Qwest Field in Dec. 20005.

Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIRE

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith passes the ball...

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith lowers his head on the sideline in the closing seconds of the 49ers' 17-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2005, in San Francisco.

Photo: MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ, AP

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith lowers his head on the...

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Flanked by head coach Mike Nolan and Owner John York, 49ers number 1 draft pick Alex Smith announces a new $24 million contract on July 25, 2005.

Former University of Utah quarterback Alex Smith, the 1st overall pick in the NFL draft, addresses the media as a new member of the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif. in this April 24, 2005 file photo.

Photo: MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ

Former University of Utah quarterback Alex Smith, the 1st overall...

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Utah quarterback Alex Smith holds up a San Francisco 49ers jersey after the 49ers selected him as the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL

Photo: GREGORY BULL, AP

Utah quarterback Alex Smith holds up a San Francisco 49ers jersey...

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Utah quarterback Alex Smith, left, holds up a San Francisco 49ers jersey with NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue after the 49ers selected him as the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft in New York Saturday, April 23, 2005.

Photo: GREGORY BULL

Utah quarterback Alex Smith, left, holds up a San Francisco 49ers...

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Alex Smith, left, a quarterback from Utah, pauses before kneeling with Antrel Rolle, a cornerback from Miami, Aaron Rodgers, a quarterback from California, Braylon Edwards, a wide receiver from Michigan, Ronnie Brown, a running back from Auburn, and Cedric Benson, a running back from Texas, attend the NFL draft Saturday, April 23, 2005 in New York.

Alex Smith will exit the Bay Area in a way few could have expected two years ago.

Appreciated. Honored. Perhaps even beloved.

Two years ago, that wouldn't have been the case. Back then, as 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh was beginning his reign, Smith was an unwelcome necessity. The starting quarterback because there were no other options. A hold-your-nose-and-deal-with-it choice.

Now Smith will leave - in a trade being reported as a done deal with the Kansas City Chiefs that under league rules can be consummated on March 12 - as a quarterback who has not only proven he can win games, but win over the fans. And change his reputation in the process.

His 19-31 record as a starting quarterback in the first five years of his career has become an asterisk. His past two seasons, both on and off the field, are what will be remembered. Not just his 20-6-1 record as a starter (particularly the "and -1," the Week 9 tie with St. Louis where he suffered a concussion that led to the end of his playing career as a 49er), but the bar he set for professional behavior. Not just for the 49ers organization or for Bay Area sports, but for professional athletes in general.

The evidence was there before the Super Bowl in New Orleans. Wave after wave of reporters surged around Smith, waiting for a glimpse of bitterness or self-absorption. They came away empty, wondering if Smith was for real. He was. While some of his teammates embarrassed themselves on the big stage, Smith showed what it means to be a professional and a loyal teammate.

A win-win trade

So it's fitting that the 49ers have appeared to cut a deal that works for both parties. Smith will head to the Chiefs, a team with the potential to rebound and one with a long tradition and hungry and devoted fans. He joins former Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid, who knows offense and quarterbacking and who has skin as thick as Smith's. They both earned (to borrow a Harbaugh phrase) their armadillo skins the hard way. They will likely forge a practical and honest relationship: Smith will know better than to believe effusive praise; Reid will know better than to hand it out.

Kansas City is a vastly preferable landing spot to Jacksonville or Cleveland, or even Arizona, where there's more offensive talent but where new head coach Bruce Arians will be learning on the job.

Something in return

In turn, the 49ers will receive a high draft pick - they will now have the 31st and 34th pick in the draft, essentially two low first-round picks. The team's decision-makers now have a cornucopia of draft picks and precious few roster spots to fill, allowing them to maneuver to their hearts' delight on draft weekend. And they will have cap room to re-sign safety Dashon Goldson, one of the team's best players. What the 49ers won't have is experienced protection at quarterback. They are left potentially exposed with Colin Kaepernick and his 10 starts, backed up by Scott Tolzien, who's never taken an NFL snap. Kaepernick should only get better, but if he struggles or gets hurt, fans will pine for Smith. The 49ers will likely add a veteran backup, but probably not the kind of insurance that the proven Smith would have offered.

Over the past eight years, we watched Smith grow up. When he was drafted in 2005, he was the youngest quarterback in the league and held on to that distinction for two seasons. He immediately embarked on an obstacle course of almost ludicrous difficulty - new playbooks every year, head coaches and offensive coordinators of almost comic obstinacy, a porous offensive line, a separated shoulder, fans who chanted for former backup David Carr. Smith grew tougher but, surprisingly, never bitter.

Giving and getting

Smith wanted it to work out here and, to an extent, it did. He got the 49ers to an NFC Championship Game two seasons ago and should get a lot of credit for helping them reach a Super Bowl this past season. He won fans by wearing his San Francisco Giants cap to a news conference and was threatened with a fine by the NFL for doing so. (Is a Royals cap in his future?) He owes a debt to Harbaugh for rehabilitating his career, for bolstering his confidence and teaching him how to be an effective quarterback.

And Harbaugh, in turn, owes Smith a debt for his leadership and his grace. Smith took charge during the 2011 lockout, organizing team workouts despite being unsigned at the time. He didn't sulk during the wooing of rival quarterback Peyton Manning before last season. And he was solid in supporting Kaepernick, which prevented the coach's risky midseason quarterback switch from backfiring in the locker room.

Smith, denigrated by so many for years, never lashed out. And over the past four months, while more prominent athletes around the globe were embarrassing themselves in historic proportions, Smith provided an unusual thing in the world of sports.

He behaved like someone you could point to and tell your kid, "See that guy? That's how a good teammate behaves."